A 60mph speed limit outside a Marlow school – currently the subject of a petition - was due to be changed before it was scrapped due to a lack of funding, it has emerged.

Buckinghamshire County Council has revealed a previous attempt to lower the national limit outside the gates was agreed “in principle” in 2008.

Last week the BFP reported that staff, pupils, parents and Medmenham Parish Council have launched a new campaign to slow traffic down on the A4155 past the school.

And BCC says the new petition – if successful – will need to undergo another assessment due to the time passed since the agreement.

Spokesman Richard Wells said: “The main A4155 road near Danesfield School was reviewed in 2008 as part of a countywide speed limit review that was completed in 2013.

"Although a 50mph speed limit was originally advertised, the working group decided 40mph was more appropriate.

“It was agreed to advertise a 40mph speed limit at a later date, but Council budgets were re-prioritised and no further funding was available for reviewing speed limits.

“This means that although a 40mph speed limit was agreed in principle in 2008, it would be subject to a re-assessment and public consultation. Its implementation would need to be funded locally via Parish Council or Local Area Forum, or other third party.”

Danesfield head Sarah Morgan said she sees regular near misses outside the gates of the school, which lies to the east of Marlow along the busy A road.

The petition can be found at https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=1038&RPID=0&HPID=0